Andre Ward Could Be The Next Boxer in Network Battle

By Edward Chaykovsky

The boxing battle continues between network rivals HBO and Showtime. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the team behind WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward (25-0, 13KOs) are currently involved in serious discussions, with HBO, to televise a planned return in the fall.

Before a potential fight in the fall, Ward is expected to return on June 2 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Ward, the big winner of Showtime's Super Six Boxing Classic, would be a big chip for HBO to secure. Showtime does have the option to match HBO's monetary offer to Ward, but HBO's bigger budget usually comes out on top when the two networks bid for talent.

If HBO manages to secure Ward, there could be a problem with securing top opponents. The majority of the top super middleweights are fighting on Showtime. Ward's top target, IBF champion Lucian Bute, defends his title against Carl Froch in an EPIX televised fight on May 26th. Win or lose, Bute is still contractually bound to Showtime for at least one fight.

With most of the super middleweights fighting on Showtime, and Bute being a distant option, Ward is open to facing a top opponent at 175-pounds.

"People ask me on the street or on Twitter when I'm coming back," Ward said to Mannix. "Well, I'm coming. I want Bute but I'm ready for any big fight at 168 or 175 pounds."

The people saying fixed ref's and fighting in his hometown all the time, just can't give credit where it's due. I heard the same s**t from people saying "Fight Carl Froch at a neutral place and we'll see what happens",…

[QUOTE=CONQUERING;11991930][url]http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511132[/url]
This was just a sad but hilarious thread from that D4 guy. Entitled "If Ward can't provide medical certificates, Froch should be given the Trophy"
:lol1: :lol1:[/QUOTE]
You just reminded me of the TREMENDOUS troll thread where Freedom said…

[QUOTE=SekondzOut;11991104]why do yall THINK that?!?....Dre EARNED his spot, noone PUT him there!!....if Bute would've dove in the tourney and swam with the sharks in infested waters instead of swimming with the dolphins in Canada's Wonderland....he'd have more say...as of NOW,…

[QUOTE=IMDAZED;11991788]I don't know if it's that true but we'll see how he fares against Froch. And yes, while Ward was a heavy favorite, there were quite a few posters on here who thought he'd lose to Froch.[/QUOTE]
I think even…